When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

The island trend of Hawaiian-style poke, or raw fish/seafood dressed with a variety of sauces and fresh toppings, has been kicking around the West Coast mainland for a while, particularly in Los Angeles, where its lean protein-rich nature is a big hit with the diet and camera conscious.

Fathers of invention, from Zappa to Radiohead

In the nearly 10 years (gasp!) since they had their watershed release OK Computer and officially became The Most Important Band in the World, Radiohead has created the requisite "reactionary weird album" (2000's Kid A), the "we're still weird, better get used to it album" (2001's Amnesiac), and, of course, the "return to form album" (2003's Hail to the Thief). So what's next for the much-imitated, rarely duplicated Oxford quintet, currently working on its seventh studio platter? In the past, the band has made a point of previewing its in-progress material out on the road, but typically only for European fans  this mini U.S. jaunt marks the first time it's giving Americans a taste of what's to come. Thus, you should expect the band to devote half of the set to new tunes, although don't look for frontman Thom Yorke to perform songs from his upcoming solo debut, The Eraser  he's keen to keep that stuff separate. Fresh tracks, cool light show ... what could possibly be more grand (and Important) than checking out Radiohead on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.calperfs.berkeley.edu for more info. Michael Alan Goldberg

One of the more polarizing cult pop music figures to emerge in the last 50 years, the late composer and guitar genius Frank Zappa has been dismissed by countless critics for his frequently crude humor, complex, odd-metered songs, and esoteric six-string gymnastics. Not surprisingly, it's this very collision of lowbrow humor and high-minded experimentation that has endeared Zappa to legions of fans and musical disciples. Twisting together disparate strands of dissonant modern classical  he long claimed atonal maverick Edgar Varèse as a prime inspiration  1950s rock and doo-wop, and wailing, proto-jazz fusion, Zappa matched his unique musical DNA with an irreverent mix of subversive satire, social commentary, and unabashedly ribald comedy. Plenty of tribute bands around the world make a respectable living paying homage to the rock great, but the Zappa Plays Zappa Tour marks the first time the deceased maestro's guitar-shredding heir Dweezil mounts a show exclusively performing the classic '70s-era material of his father onstage. Hear this crack ensemble featuring such important Zappa alumni as singer/saxophonist Napoleon Murphy Brock, powerhouse drummer Terry Bozzio, and original "stunt guitarist" Steve Vai when the tour rolls into the Warfield on Saturday, June 24, at 8 p.m. Admission is $39.50-$48.50. Visit www.livenation.com for more info. Dave Pehling

With an extra "e" tacked onto its title for good measure, Seattle's Thee Emergency is ready to set your garage-rock pilot flame ablaze  or at least hold a big candle to its predecessors, the BellRays and the Go. Fronted by the barrel-throated Dita Vox, the band comprises '60s Motor City music fanatics who chant loudly, charge forward restlessly, and corral the necessary energy to carbonate bloozy rock into something contagiously bubbly. Detroit kingpin Jim Diamond produced the group's newly released debut, Can You Dig It  and the answer to that question is a resounding yes. Thee Emergency performs on Saturday, June 24, at the Knockout. Call 550-6994 for time, price.  Jennifer Maerz

The defining moment at a live Neko Case show is when you're weeping for the overwhelming beauty of the stories this crazy "country noir" singer tells  and for the power of her voice as it swoops and dives through the space above the crowd. You're hoping no one will see you wiping your eyes as the song (probably "Dirty Knife" from Fox Confessor Brings the Flood) ends, when all of a sudden, either Case or a conspiratorial bandmate  often backup singer Kelly Hogan  tells the funniest, nastiest joke you've ever heard, and you start laughing. This is heaven: giggling through your tears, flung from one emotional extreme to the other by the redheaded torch singer. Animal sex, bizarre violence, Kanye West  everything is fair game for Case and her ill-mannered, wildly talented entourage. Neko Case plays Sunday, June 25, through Wednesday, June 28, at Bimbo's at 8 p.m. Admission is $22; call 474-0365 or visit www.bimbos365club.com for more info.  Hiya Swanhuyser

Slideshows

Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"